In a rebuke to other southern state governments that have passed anti-discrimination laws in recent weeks, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed an executive order April 13 to protect LGBT rights in the workplace, reports The Hill.
The executive order overturns former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s own executive order that permitted businesses and government agencies to refuse to serve gay and lesbian couples.
After signing a law in March that prevents local governments from approving LGBT protections, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory faced the wrath of activists, corporations, and his own attorney general, leading him to issue an amendment to the law.
Mississippi’s governor, Phil Bryant, signed a similar law on April 5.
In issuing the executive order to protect LGBT rights, Edwards joins Georgia’s Gov. Nathan Deal, who vetoed his state’s own “religious liberty” bill on March 28.
“The previous administration’s executive I am rescinding was meant to serve a narrow political agenda," Edwards said in a statement. “It does nothing but divide our state and forced the business community, from Louisiana’s smallest businesses to large corporations, like IBM, to strongly oppose it.
"This executive order threatens Louisiana’s business growth, and it goes against everything we stand for– unity, acceptance, and opportunity for all.”
Edwards said his executive order does not conflict with the religious liberty protections the state passed in 2010.
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!